In this month’s Bend Current, we celebrate the completion of the 14th Street Reconstruction Project and the 2011, voter-approved $30 Million General Obligation Bond projects. You’ll get updates on the new Neighborhood Leadership Alliance Council advisory committee, winter preparation tips including how to winterize your home, protect your pipes and other information that you’ll need as the winter season progresses.

OCTOBER 2018

14TH STREET OPEN SOON!

Tomorrow, the City is celebrating the completion of the 14th Street Reconstruction Project, the final project in the $30 million General Obligation Bond that voters approved in 2011. This bond allowed the City to upgrade major street corridors and intersections all over the City.

Projects included:

Reed Market Road, rebuilt from Third Street to 27th Street with three-lane roads, bike lanes and sidewalks and a multi-lane roundabout at 15th Street

The 14th Street corridor, bond-funded between Simpson and Galveston avenues, and the City Council approved funding to extend the project north to Newport Avenue

“These G.O. Bond projects have been a great success. Crashes have decreased, meaning safety has improved, at the intersections rebuilt into roundabouts with the bond funding,” said Bend Mayor Casey Roats. “The work has benefitted all kinds of transportation system users – drivers, cyclists, walkers – all across the city. This shows what we can do when the community and the City work together to solve our transportation challenges.”

Neighborhood Associations are a great way to get involved at the most local level – your neighborhood. Different than a home owners association (HOA), Neighborhood Associations help increase citizen participation in local decision making and form an effective partnership between the City and neighborhood residents. Getting involved with your Neighborhood Association is a great way to learn about what’s going on at the City and share what’s important to you.

Since all 13 Neighborhood Associations are represented on the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance, the City Council also gets valuable feedback on what matters most to Bend residents. Input the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance receives can help City Councilors set goals and make policy decisions that reflect the needs and values of the community.

COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION

In 2016, the City Council set goals to reduce fossil fuel use communitywide by 40 percent by 2030 and 70 percent by 2050. With grant funds, the City created a staff position to run a community process to develop a Community Climate Action Plan and hired a consultant to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory.

The Climate Action Steering Committee is leading a community engagement process to get the community’s input on potential ways to achieve the fossil fuel use reduction goals. Get involved by attending any of four upcoming working groups meetings in October and November. They are open to the public. Get more information about the meetings here. The City will also publicize an online survey in January, another opportunity to provide feedback on the potential programs, policies and initiatives being considered for the Community Climate Action Plan.

From the greenhouse gas report: Building energy use across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors combined represents the largest portion of our greenhouse gas emissions (56 percent). Transportation emissions are the next biggest category (33 percent), followed by waste and industrial process emissions.

COUNCIL UPDATES

NOVEMBER ELECTION

Election day is November 6. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted, postmarks do not count.

Twelve candidates have met the City of Bend’s requirements to be placed on the November 6, 2018, general election ballot. The candidates receiving the most votes for each position serve four-year terms. Find out more on our election information webpage.

WINTER IS COMING

Are you ready? Bookmark our general winter tips website: bendoregon.gov/winter and go ahead and take a look at it now to see if you’re ready.

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SIDEWALKS AND SHOVELING

Many of our neighbors rely on a clear sidewalk to get to and from work, school or bus stops. To help keep sidewalks safe and passable during winter snow storms, it is the responsibility of property owners to shovel sidewalks that border your property.

Commercial areas must remove snow and ice within the first six hours of daylight after the snow has fallen, other areas have 24 hours to remove snow from a property with abutting sidewalk.

Please be aware that street plows may put snow back onto sidewalks that have already been shoveled, this does not change the property owners responsibility. This may require re-shoveling snow from the adjacent sidewalk.

Please visit the City’s Winter Street Operations website for more information on how, when, and where street plow operations occur.

The City’s Code Enforcement Division’s website also has additional information on snow and ice removal requirements as well as how individuals can report it if someone is failing to remove snow and ice from their adjacent sidewalk in a timely manner.

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WINTER WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

Water is not all you save!

Check for water efficiency when winterizing your home this season. A quick inspection for leaking faucets, toilets and showerheads can help avoid high monthly utility bills. While these leaking plumbing fixtures may not seem like significant wastes of water, they can significantly impact your wallet in the form of high water and sewer charges. This is because Bend sewer customers are billed on a Winter Quarter Average, or the average amount of water used during the months of December, January and February. So leaks not only increase your water bill, they also increase your monthly sewer bill throughout the year.

Interested in learning about more ways to save water and money indoors this winter? Visit waterwisetips.org to request a free indoor water conservation kit complete with EPA WaterSense showerhead, kitchen and bath faucet aerators, leak detection dye tabs, shower timer and more.

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PROTECT YOUR PIPES

Water pipes can freeze within hours of the onset of sub-freezing weather, especially if they're exposed to cold air or drafts. Here are some tips to help prevent an expensive water pipe break this winter:

Disconnect water hoses from outside faucets and protect faucets with an insulated cover.

During extended sub-freezing cold periods, open cabinets in low-heat areas where plumbing is located.

Set the thermostat at a minimum of 55° during cold weather, even if the house is vacant.

Winterize irrigation systems.

Keep in mind: Snow on the ground insulates underground plumbing (and water meters) better than no snow.

Keep a plumber's number nearby for quick access in an emergency.

Property owners are responsible for protecting their water pipes from freezing. If you suspect a frozen or damaged water meter, please call the Utility Department at (541) 317-3000, ext. 2. Prevent frozen pipes.

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